32,720 extra personnel to be deployed nationwide for Muharram: Ahsan

Interior minister urges scholars to spread message of peace from pulpit of mosques to shun sectarian violence

ISLAMABAD: The interior minister has ordered an additional deployment of 32,720 personnel all over the country to maintain law and order situation during Muharram.

“In the threat-prone areas, aerial monitoring will be conducted. A control centre has also been set up in the Ministry of Interior to coordinate with the provincial administrations of all provinces,” said Ahsan Iqbal while chairing a meeting to review the security arrangements for Muharram on Tuesday.

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High-ups of security agencies, provincial administrations and officials of the ministry participated in the meeting.

The interior minister directed the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to undertake concerted efforts to provide foolproof security to the Muharram processions and Majalis.

Ahsan urged eminent scholars to spread the message of peace from the pulpit of mosques and urged them to cooperate with the government to shun sectarian violence.

Code of conduct devised for Muharram

“In this connection, LEAs and local administrations should forge a strong coordination with prominent scholars,” he added.

Ahsan also directed the security agencies to monitor the activities of proscribed outfits and those who misuse loudspeakers to perpetrate hatred and dissension among the people of Pakistan on sectarian grounds.

He also noted that history has taught us that internal rift is the major factor behind the downfall of great powers.

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Emphasising on the importance of community policing, he said it is need of the hour to mobilise community policing at all levels by promoting the sense of responsibility among citizens.

He also directed the LEAs to conduct combing operations and surveys in order to identify and apprehend the miscreant elements. “No one will be allowed to mar the image of Pakistan at international level,” he concluded.

Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor was making tremendous progress in completion of infrastructure and energy projects and time was ripe to reap the benefits of the major initiative.